Nuclear Politics

Viac o knihe

Why did nuclear energy policies in France, Sweden, and the United States diverge so significantly after the oil crisis of 1973 and 1974, despite their similarities at the time? James Jasper addresses this question by challenging the prevalent political explanations that focus solely on political and economic structures. He introduces a cultural and state-centered approach that considers structural factors alongside cultural meanings, individual biographies, and elite discretion. Jasper examines the period from the commercialization of light-water-reactor technology in the early 1960s to the present, detailing the post-1973 developments: France expanded its reactor construction, the U.S. canceled many reactor orders, and Sweden completed its planned nuclear plants but opted to phase out nuclear energy by 2010. This analysis is informed by one hundred interviews with managers, policymakers, and activists across the three nations. By offering a unique theoretical perspective and an in-depth look at nuclear policy over an extended historical period, this work enhances our understanding of the varied trajectories of nuclear energy in these countries. Originally published in 1990, this title is now available again through the Princeton Legacy Library, which aims to increase access to important scholarly works.